The ban of chrysotile would cause economic losses, especially to the Government, with an estimated Rs. 1.653 trillion (USD$ 11.25 billion) of unnecessary increase in economic burden on households in the entire country derived from removal, transportation and disposal of the existing Chrysotile roofing, according to a recent fact finding study.
Almost two million houses and buildings with chrysotile roofing materials need to be removed and pay for higher costs of substitute products, if chrysotile were to be banned, it was revealed at a seminar recently.
The Chrysotile Information Centre of Sri Lanka held a seminar in Colombo to launch a publication on the ‘Socio Economic Impact of the Potential Prohibition of Chrysotile in Sri Lanka’. The publication was based on a comprehensive, research-driven study carried out by the Research Intelligence Unit (RIU).
Director of the RUI, Roshan Madawala said, “Today’s report adds a fundamental enhancement on our knowledge about the safe use of chrysotile in Sri Lanka. Our study shows that an attempt to ban will have severe macro-economic consequences, and on the individual level be felt most urgently by low income and other rural communities at risk who rely on Chrysotile fibre based roofing.”
The program comprised of a presentation followed by a panel discussion incorporating renowned intellectuals, elaborating on the potentially grave impacts of a ban of chrysotile fibre cement roofing products on Sri Lanka’s economy. Several dignitaries including Minister Susil Premajayantha, Minister Eran Wickramarathne and others graced the occasion.
The Director of the Chrysotile Information Centre and co-sponsor of the study, Sunil Amawarwansa commented: “It’s essential to note that Chrysotile has been used safely in Sri Lanka for more than 50 years – proving that safe use is a reality. This stands in distinction to other forms of asbestos.”
The research report further explains that the impact on different groups of consumers include households, the business sector and the government sector as represented solely by the impact on the hospitals and schools. Over 43,000 hospital beds and 2,368 schools have been using chrysotile roofs, and thereby affecting more than millions of people and children across the island.